Dietetic Internship Program

VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System DI Program Information

VA Southern Nevada Health Care System (VASNHS) serves over 240,000 Veterans throughout southern Nevada and has over 3,000 employees. The North Las Vegas VA Medical Center and seven Community Based Outpatient Clinics serve Veterans in Las Vegas, Pahrump, and Laughlin, NV. The North Las Vegas VA Medical Center is a teaching hospital that trains healthcare professionals in 38 degree and certificate programs.

Information for Applicants

The VASNHS Dietetic Internship (DI) Program accepts a maximum of 4 interns annually. The program contains two admissions tracks. Track one (1) will admit only individuals who have official transcripts and a verification statement from a Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) or Foreign Dietitian Education (FDE) program and have earned at least a master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited or FDE program or will earn a master’s degree before program start date. Track two (2) will admit individuals with official transcripts, a DPD or FDE verification statement, and who will be concurrently enrolled in the University of Alabama's online Master of Science (MS) in Human Nutrition program.

The VASNHS DI participates in the Spring Dietetics Inclusive Centralized Application Service (DICAS) application cycle. All applications must be completed and submitted through DICAS.

      Track 1: Internship Only

      Track 2: Combined Master’s Degree/Dietetic Internship. The VASNHS DI has a partnership with the University of Alabama for a fully online MS in Human Nutrition. Read an overview including courses, credit hours, application requirements, and tuition costs at https://ches.ua.edu/nhm/ms-in-human-nutrition/. For more information, contact the Human Nutrition program director, Dr. Tiffany Hylton, RD, LD at tmhylton@ches.ua.edu.

Applicant Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Males must have registered for selective service (or be exempt) and will be required to provide verification of their status if selected into the program
• Have a minimum cumulative and DPD Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0
• An Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) DPD verification statement dated within the past three (3) years. If the date on the Verification Statement is more than 3 years prior to the starting date of the internship, the applicant must take or have taken 9 graduate credits in dietetics-related coursework within the last 1 year at a university with an ACEND-accredited DPD or Coordinated Program (CP). One course in Medical Nutrition Therapy is required
• Track 1: Earned master’s degree granted by a U.S. accredited or FDE university by DI program start date. Track 2: Admission to University of Alabama MS in Human Nutrition program. Prospective interns interested in the MS + DI option MUST apply to the University of Alabama's MS in Human Nutrition to be considered
• If selected, all interns must pass a background check (paid by sponsoring facility), physical examination, and be up to date on vaccinations for health care workers as recommended by the Centers for Disease and Control and VA

Application Process

Complete application in the DICAS portal. Ensure you submit the following:

• Resume or CV. Include work and/or volunteer experience indicating exposure and commitment to the field of nutrition and dietetics
• DPD verification statement or Declaration of Intent. An original, signed copy of the DPD verification statement must be provided to the DI Director before the program start date
• Track 1: Official transcripts from earned or in-progress master’s degree program to be completed before DI program start date. Track 2: Evidence of application to the University of Alabama MS in Human Nutrition program
• DD214 form if you are a Veteran
• Three letters of recommendation. Two letters must be from college professors and/or program director, and one letter from a work supervisor.
• Personal statement (limit 1,000 words) answering the following questions:

                            - Why do you want to enter the dietetics profession?
                            - Why are you interested in the VASNHS DI program?
                            - What experiences have prepared you for this internship?
                            - What are your short-term and long-term goals?
                            - What are your strengths and weaknesses or areas needing improvement?

Candidates for admission will be scheduled for an interview with our selection committee virtually or in-person.

Program Completion Requirements

To graduate from the VASNHS DI program, interns must:

• Successfully complete all supervised practice rotations and hours, assignments, classes and QI and/or research project. Work will be evaluated by the DI Director and preceptors.
• Successfully meet all ACEND competencies as defined in the program's learning assessment plan.
• Maintain the professional and ethical code of conduct expected.
• Submit all evaluations of the program and other necessary documentation to the DI Director.
• Interns who successfully complete the DI program will be issued a verification statement by the DI Director. This form confirms the completion of the supervised practice requirements of the program and provides the student with eligibility to take the Registration Examination for Dietitians administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Track 1: Verification statement will be issued upon completion of the DI program. Track 2: Verification statement will be issued upon completion of the University of Alabama’s MS in Human Nutrition program.

Steps to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN):

1. Earn an undergraduate and graduate degree from an ACEND accredited DPD.
2. Complete at least 1,000 hours of supervised practice with an ACEND accredited Dietetic Internship program and receive a verification statement. You cannot receive a verification statement until you have completed a graduate degree.
3. Take and pass the CDR’s Registration Examination for Dietitians.
4. Meet requirements to practice in your state. Many states have licensure laws for food and nutrition practitioners. All states accept the RDN credential for state licensure purposes. Graduates will need to contact state licensing agency in the state where they intend to work to obtain information about licensure requirements.
5. Maintain professional continuing education requirements.